United duo defend Rooney

Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs have defended Wayne Rooney after the striker was banned for two games for using offensive or abusive language during a game.

The 25-year-old was charged after swearing directly into a TV camera after scoring a hat-trick against West Ham last weekend, rounding off a remarkable comeback from 2-0 down for the league favourites who went on to take the game 4-2. Despite an appeal, the FA decided to uphold the ban.



Rooney faced a barrage of criticism following the incident, but Ferdinand believes the level of scrutiny the England international faced was unwarranted.

“I think sometimes you’ve got to put things into perspective.” He told The Sun.



“I don’t condone swearing into a TV camera but there is so much else going on in the world. There are people being killed in Libya and Ivory Coast, wars going on and Wayne Rooney swearing is on the front pages. It doesn’t make any sense.



“Against Chelsea showed you what sort of talent he is as a footballer. It’s something this country should cherish.” He added.



Giggs echoed his team-mate’s sentiments, and suggested Rooney had been singled out because of his high-profile both on and off the pitch.



I’m not surprised (by the ban) because of the profile Wayne has got,” said Giggs.



“It had just never been done before (a player being charged for swearing). There was no precedent for it and that’s why we were bamboozled by it.



“But it’s one of those things, you’ve just got to get on with it. Obviously we’ll lose him for two games but he’ll be back against Chelsea next Tuesday.



The Man Utd veteran also questioned the length of the ban, admitting: “Yeah, I’m surprised about that.”



Rooney will now miss Utd’s Premier League game against Fulham tomorrow, and their FA Cup Semi-Final against cross city rivals Manchester City the following week, but will be available to play in the return Champions League leg against Chelsea on Tuesday.